RETIRED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA

Transcription

1 ISSUE 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 RETIRED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA NO PRIVATIZATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY FIGHT FOR OUR DEFINED BENEFITS EXPAND MEDICARE TO COVER EVERYONE President's Message Vice President's Op/Ed RPEA Health Benefits Update CAPPO Conference & Annual Peralta College Events Holiday Happenings Page 2 Page 3 Pages 4/5 Page 12 Page 13

2 President s Report A Message From President George Linn George Linn RPEA PRESIDENT RPEAHQ@RPEA.COM website RPEA NEWSLETTER Published 6 times a year by the Retired Public Employees Association of California 300 T Street., Sacramento, CA Opinions expressed in articles are those of the writer and not necessarily those of RPEA. Send suggestions and comments to RPEA Headquarters, Attention: C. T. Weber, Editor. ere we are in During H 2016 we reached several milestones. For the first time in many years we gained more memberships than we lost. We still have a long way to go to rebuild our membership. If we all work together, we can accomplish this. In the past two months several changes have happened at CalPERS. First, we learned that the city of Loyalton was not going to pay the shortage in their account. CalPERS action resulted in a reduction of benefits provided to their retirees. The city of Loyalton has subsequently come up with plan to protect the retirees. I spoke at the CalPERS Finance and Administration Committee meeting on this issue and suggested that RPEA and others meet with CalPERS to develop a plan to protect retirees. This incremental lowering of the discount rate will give employers more time to prepare for the changes in contribution costs. In addition, the Board approved separate timelines for implementing the new rate for state, school, and public agencies. The new discount rate for the state would go into effect on July 1, The new discount rate for the school districts and public agencies would take effect July 1, The difference allows schools and public agencies additional time to plan for rate increases. Lowering the discount rate, also known as the assumed rate of return, means employers that contract with CalPERS to administer their pension plans will see increases in their CalPERS has voted to lower the discount rate. The impact will be greater contributions from employers. The vote was to lower the rate from 7.5% to 7.0% over the next three years. normal costs and unfunded actuarial liabilities. Active members hired after January 1, 2013 under the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will also see their contribution rates rise. Normal cost is the cost of pension benefits for one year. These are all considered positive steps toward stabilizing the Fund. Send changes of address to: RPEA HEADQUARTERS 300 T Street Sacramento, CA Attention: Changes of Address Published in Partnership with Burks Printing & Promotions 2 RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

3 Vice President s Op/Ed tate and national newspapers have been full S of reports about CalPERS that cast the pension system in a negative light regarding its treatment of the employees of the City of Loyalton, California. CalPERS has also been the target of alarmist reports that it s decision to cut the rate of return on investments to 7% from 7.5% will cause great harm to contract public agencies that subscribe to CalPERS pension and health care services. Both of these claims are unreasonable when full disclosure of all of the elements of the decisions are known. First, the City of Loyalton decided about three years ago to skip its CalPERS pension contributions and never resumed payment of this obligation. California pension law requires that CalPERS take certain actions to secure payment of outstanding pension contributions from its contract agencies; and, if that fails which it did in the case of Loyalton, the final result is that CalPERS must reduce the amount of pension benefit payments to retired employees. This is what has actually happened. The City of Loyalton has responded by indicating they will make up the difference in lost benefits to these retirees. We do not yet have confirmation that that actually happened. Secondly, in December of 2016 the CalPERS Board did adopt a discount rate reduction that phases-in over three years. It drops to 7.375% in fiscal year (FY), 7.25% in FY 2018/19, and 7% in FY 2019/20. Additional cost to employers and employees will be withheld for three years to allow for adjustments in public agency budgets to accommodate these added costs. After two years of less than 2% return on investment (ROI) on its portfolio, CalPERS has concluded, based on a report from Wilshire Associates, its investment consultant, that over the next ten years CalPERS can expect an average of 6.21% ROI. In other words, the double-digit returns that we experienced year after year in the 1990 s and part of 2000 s may be a thing of the past. As a result of this new view of the financial world, CalPERS is responding in several different ways to minimize the impact of lowered ROI expectations. In addition, due to fewer active members in CalPERS in relation to retirees, employer and employee contributions no longer cover benefit payouts, so some By Al Darby, Vice President To stabilize the income stream and the investment portfolio, CalPERS is de-risking certain segments of its holdings to less risky investments less public equity (stocks) while increasing its private equity interests. investment income is now used to pay benefits. These realities require adjustments to CalPERS investment policies and the basic structure of a maturing pension fund. A new order is emerging that will accommodate these evolving new conditions that are impinging on the way CalPERS operated for the first 80 years of its existence. There is a new element that will eventually have a major impact on the CalPERS pension system. This is the pension reform act of 2012 that already has 30% of active CalPERS members in its ranks. As this population grows, many costs to CalPERS are reduced. These members will have to work to an older age to get the full retirement formula. There is a lower cap on retirement pay, and restrictions on compensable income are more stringent. Employers will see a reduction in their contribution to normal cost of pensions under the new pension law because employees must pay half of normal cost. In the past, employees paid about one-third of normal cost. All of these actions are designed to strengthen the pension fund and stabilize it for the long term. Many important public jobs would go begging for employees without a strong pension system. The City of San Jose has proved that by cutting police pensions (even though it was done in a deep recession period) and watching many policemen leave to join other law enforcement agencies where their pensions were safe. Many other public jobs would become vacant in good times when private sector companies hire at much higher wages and incentive pay. At the December, 2016 Finance Committee meeting, I spoke during public comment on the subject of de-risking the CalPERS portfolio. I expressed opposition to further de-risking of public equity (stocks) in view of the fact the new administration favors business-friendly tax cuts, regulation relaxation, infrastructure rebuilding, more favorable trade policies, and other actions that could boost stock values and lead CalPERS to improved investment performance in coming years. After public comment, Board member, Bill Slayton, moved to suspend de-risking the fund portfolio for three years. RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY

4 RPEA Health Benefits Update By Donna Snodgrass, Director of Health Benefits I sincerely hope that everyone s holidays were as wonderful as ours. Now, it s back to work! The Jan/Feb issue of this newsletter features the first Q&A sections for Health Benefits articles that have appeared in past issues. I hope this feature provides a valuable service to the members of RPEA. Beginning in this issue as well, I am offering an avenue for you to receive updates on my Health Benefits articles. It didn t take me long to realize that I can t be 100% timely with the information in these articles. I promise to do the best possible job in giving you accurate and up-to-date information. However, even by waiting until the very last day for the deadline, information may be as much as 4 months behind when the newsletter is delivered to you. SO, if you would like to receive updates between issues, here is what I propose to do to keep you advised: 1) Send an to healthbenefits@rpea.com requesting to be added to the Health Benefits Update list. 2) Include your Name, address, current phone number and current home mailing address. 3) If you know your Chapter number, please include this information. You MUST be a member of RPEA to receive these updates! Staff will check your membership status. If you are not a current member, a response will be sent to you advising that you either need to join RPEA or that your dues need to be made current. There may not be an update to every article, but when there is, it will be sent to the members who are on the Health Benefits Update list. OptumRx By now you should have received all the information and prescription cards for the new pharmacy provider, OptumRx. If you have NOT received your card, CONTACT OptumRX IMMEDIATELY at (855) If your medical benefits are provided by Anthem, you should have two (2) cards one for medical and one for pharmacy. Apparently there is an issue over the trademarked logo, and Anthem is unable to provide a single use card. All others have only one (1) card for all services. QUESTION AND ANSWER Q: Your article in the Nov/Dec Newsletter indicated that we should not carry our Medicare card with us all the time. What happens if I am in an accident or have a medical emergency and do not have my Medicare card with me? A: You should protect your Medicare card just as you would your Social Security card. We are advised that you should not carry either card with you during your normal day-to-day activities. If you have a medical emergency while you are away from home, you will not be refused medical treatment. The Medicare number and information can be supplied after you are admitted/treated, by yourself or someone close to you. Of course, it is your decision to carry the Medicare card, or not. Just be extremely careful. You will keep the same Medicare number your whole life, and it CANNOT be changed if it is lost or stolen and used fraudulently. You could be liable for any charges incurred from the use of this card. We had several questions on the OptumRX pharmacy provider from members. Here are their questions and responses from either CalPERS or OptumRX. Q: Is the Preferred90 Saver Pharmacy (page 55 of the EOC) the same as the term, Preferred Network Pharmacy (page 134 of the EOC)? (continued on next page) 4 RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

5 RPEA Health Benefits Update A: No. A Preferred Network Pharmacy is a network pharmacy that offers covered drugs at lower cost-sharing levels than at a non-preferred network pharmacy. The Preferred 90 Saver program offers a 90-day supply of maintenance medications (for long term or chronic conditions) at the Home Delivery copay when filled at Walgreens pharmacies. So, you can save by ordering through the home delivery or use Walgreens for 90 day supplies instead of making a purchase of 3-30 day supplies at a network pharmacy. (Please note that Walgreens is also a Preferred Network Pharmacy.) Q: The OptumRX Pharmacy Directory does not clearly specify which listed pharmacies are preferred network pharmacy. It is not clear which pharmacy saves more than another pharmacy in the directory. (Note: CVS Pharmacy Directory did specify preferred network pharmacies in its Directory.) A: CalPERS staff will work with OptumRX to improve the OptumRX Pharmacy Directory. In the meantime, members can compare drug prices for different pharmacies online at or call OptumRX at one of the two following numbers. Medicare (855) Basic (855) AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST I thought I would have a knock-your-socks-off article on Obamacare, Medicare and all other things health insurance. I even had it all written and edited. Then, last week, I had to throw the whole thing out. I can t even speculate on what will happen after January 20, We are in a holding pattern until we see what Congress is going to present and what our new President is going to sign. I am positive about one thing, it will be a rollercoaster ride of emotions and finances for all of us. RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY

6 Legislative Update A fter the 2016 November General Election results were finalized, the Assembly now has 55 Democrats and 25 Republicans, the Senate now has 27 Democrats and 13 Republicans, and the California Congressional Delegation now has 41 Democrats and 14 Republicans. The House of Representatives has 53 out of 435 Members and the United States Senate has 2 out of 100 Members. Of the 120 legislators, there are 21 freshmen (18 in the Assembly and 3 in the Senate). There are also 10 former legislators (4 in the Assembly and 6 in the Senate) who have returned to office or were elected to the other House. Now that the General Election is behind us, we are looking ahead into the next legislative session. The Assembly and Senate convened the legislative session on December 5, 2016 where they introduced bills, organized the House and elected the Speaker and ProTem. As of this writing, 276 bills have been introduced and hundreds more will be introduced before the end of February. Stay tuned as more information becomes available BUDGET UPDATE On Tuesday, January 10th, Governor Brown said, We re in very uncertain times. We re very subject to a lot of unpredictability. With that, he released his State Budget amid uncertainty about changes in State revenue and in Washington D.C. Despite the uncertainty, we are pleased to announce that employer contributions for State retiree health premiums maintain the average 100/90 percent contribution formula established in Government Code Section for fully vested members. Under this formula, the State averages the premiums of the four largest health benefit plans in order to calculate the maximum amount the state contributes towards retiree health benefits. The State also contributes 90 percent of this average towards the health benefit costs of each of the retirees dependents. Vesting schedules and Aaron Read and Pat Moran of Aaron Read & Associates employer contributions may vary by employee bargaining unit contract. Overall, the Governor proposed a $177.1 billion state budget ($122 billion general fund) assumes a multi-billion shortfall over the next 18-months compared to what lawmakers projected when they passed the budget last June. The Governor admitted the proposed budget takes a more pessimistic view of state tax collections than LAO. As a result, the Governor s budget reflects almost $6 billion in less revenue across three budget years, ending in June That would leave the state with a $2 billion deficit without changes.. The Governor s revenue numbers are significantly below those put out by the LAO in November. Then the LAO estimated the state would collect $6.4 billion more from the state s three top taxes: personal income, sales and use, and corporation. The Governor s proposal puts the projected increase at $3.4 billion. The disagreement over this particular number is not new. The Governor s projected revenue numbers have been consistently lower than the LAO s and the Legislature s in the past, and this year is no different. The January 10th budget release will be followed by weeks of legislative budget subcommittee hearings with the Legislature, as they have done in the past, using the larger revenue numbers to craft a budget reflecting their priorities. This will be followed by the May Revision, a revised proposal in that reflects April tax receipts, followed by meetings with legislative leaders to hammer-out any remaining differences. Below are some highlights from the budget summary: Keeping the Budget Balanced The budget proposes $3.2 billion in solutions to ensure a balanced budget. By tempering spending growth rather than cutting existing program levels, these actions minimize the negative effects on Californians. The solutions include adjusting Proposition 98 spending, recapturing unspent allocations from 2016 and constraining some projected spending growth. In total, General Fund spending remains flat compared to RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

7 Legislative Update Bolstering State Reserves Proposition 2 establishes a constitutional goal of having 10 percent of tax revenues in the state s Rainy Day Fund. With a $1.15 billion deposit in the budget, the Rainy Day Fund will total $7.9 billion by the end of , 63 percent of the constitutional target. While a full Rainy Day Fund might not eliminate the need for further spending reductions in case of a recession or major federal policy changes, saving now would allow the state to soften the magnitude and length of necessary cuts. Increasing Education Funding K-14 funding is expected to grow to $73.5 billion in , up 55 percent or $26.2 billion from For K-12 schools, funding levels will increase by about $3,900 per student in , over levels. This reinvestment provides the opportunity to correct historical inequities in school district funding with continued implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula. Continuing Health Care Expansion Under the optional expansion provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act, the budget increases enrollment of this Medi-Cal population to 4.1 million Californians, with the state s General Fund share of cost increasing from $888 million to nearly $1.6 billion. Counteracting Poverty California has an extensive safety net for the state s residents who live in poverty. Since 2012, the General Fund has invested about $18 billion annually to help those in poverty. The budget continues to fund: The rising state minimum wage, which is scheduled to increase to $11 per hour in 2018 and $15 per hour over time. California s Earned Income Tax Credit. The first cost-of-living adjustment for Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment recipients since The repeal of the maximum family grant rule in CalWORKs, which denied aid to children who were born while their parents were receiving aid. Increases in child care and early education provider rates and children served totaling $837 million. Strengthening Transportation Infrastructure Annual maintenance and repairs of California s highways, roads and bridges are billions of dollars more than can be funded annually within existing revenues. The budget reflects the Governor s transportation package, first proposed in September 2015, which would provide $4.2 billion annually to improve the maintenance of highways and local roads, expand public transit and strengthen critical trade routes. Combating Climate Change The state has appropriated $3.4 billion in cap-and-trade auction proceeds to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with funding prioritized in disadvantaged communities. With volatility in recent auctions due in part to uncertainty about the program s post-2020 future, the Administration proposes two-thirds urgency legislation to confirm the program s continued authority beyond Assuming approval, the budget proposes $2.2 billion in expenditures from auction proceeds, with a continued emphasis on low-income and disadvantaged communities. SPECIAL ELECTION As you may know, Attorney General Kamala Harris was elected to the United States Senate; she was officially sworn-in on January 3rd. On December 1, 2016, Governor Brown announced the appointment of Congressman Xavier Becerra as the next Attorney General. He has to be approved by a majority vote of both the Assembly and Senate before he can assume office; however, we are confident that he will be approved quickly. RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY

8 RPEA Legislative Update W elcome to the NEW YEAR 2017! As Satchel Page once said, "Never run when you can walk, and never look back, as someone may be gaining on you!" But unfortunately, we will be looking back on a few issues that will be gaining on us in the new year. First, the California Legislature is back in session for the Legislative Year. So far with only the first weeks of 2017 in session, the Assembly has introduced 87 bills, and the Senate 61. This does not include a slew of "resolutions" that may or may not move forward. It appears that most are "spot bills which will be fleshed out in the coming months. SB 32 (Moorlach) is one that proposes additional pension reforms to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), but there are no details in this proposed bill. Senator Moorlach also proposes a resolution SCA-1 that would prohibit any general fund money from being used for funding the California Secure Choice Retirement Saving Plans. During the next few weeks, we expect that more than 1000 bills will be introduced before the deadline at the end of January. The Legislative Committee with the help of the Health Benefits Committee will review these to see which are consistent with the legislative priorities of the RPEA Board and recommend our SUPPORT, OPPOSITION, or WATCH positions to our lobbyist, Aaron Read & Associates. By Jim Anderson, Director of Legislation According to an editorial in the New York Times ( ) legislation has already been introduced by the Republican Party to slash Social Security by $1.7 trillion over 10 years, cutting an average $1,240 monthly benefit by $168. Association of Public Employees (MAPES) finding that the legislature was able to change the pension benefits as part of PEPRA without an impairment of the "Contract Clause" of the Constitution, or the "California Rule" requiring a comparable benefit if a change was made. A second case from Alameda County essentially held the same as the MAPES decision. In addition there is another group of cases yet to be decided relating to the changes in PEPRA in The MAPES case has been appealed to the California Supreme Court, which has indicated it will wait until all of the existing cases have been decided before scheduling hearings on these issues. As one commentator stated, "These issues may take some interesting turns during the coming year." And finally, the changes to the Federal Government from the last election may be the most exciting issues that will need to be addressed by RPEA in Initially, the Legislative Committee was gearing up to try and change the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) in the Social Security Act. However, with the change in administration, the ENTIRE Social Security Act appears to be in jeopardy, and WEP and GPO will need to be put on hold for now. In addition, there are proposals to modify Medicare by providing a "voucher system" along with the repeal of Obamacare. RPEA will need to seek out those coalitions who are gearing up to fight changes in these laws that will harm our members. We will try to make sure our voice is heard where and when needed. Secondly, and also, looking back, more court cases will be heard in the California Supreme Court regarding the impact of pension legislation. Initially, a case brought by the Marin It is increasingly clear, that we better not look back, because something (most likely Reed/DeMaio) is gaining on us! HAPPY EXCITING 2017!!! 8 RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

9 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Subject: Response to LA Times Pension Attacks RPEA Newsletter, Nov/Dec 2016 I hope all members read Jim Anderson's article in the Nov/Dec 2016 issue concerning the LA Times series of attacks on the retirement benefits of public employees. The author sets the record straight with clearly stated facts in accurate historical context. The author's emphasis on the positive contributions of the CalPERS board in cooperation with state government reveals the strength and integrity of RPEA to correct problems and abuses. I thank our reliable board members who search for the facts and represent RPEA with substantive arguments. A Message From Your Editor, C. T. Weber: Caroline Cooper San Jose, CA Happy New Year! Happy Chinese New Year! (January 28) "Year of the Rooster!". If you thought 2017 was going to be a dull year, think again. As I have done every year since the 1980 s, I marched again in the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade, this year in Sacramento. The sun was out, and everyone was in high spirits. Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States, and his proposed cabinet looks like the 0.1% will be well represented. His remarks on women, Muslims and Mexico have set off several fire storms. In fact, I participated in a huge march and rally of some 20,000 people here in Sacramento to fight back against any roll backs of women's rights. This was a small part of the 3,000,000 who marched around the world. For us, the new administration may end the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. Of course, that would mean the loss of millions of federal dollars and an uncertain budget here in California. There is renewed interest in single-payer health care. In fact, I recently returned from Bakersfield, California where nearly a thousand health care recipients, nurses, unionists and retirees gathered to ask U. S. Congressman Kevin McCarthy to not cut our health care and instead protect, improve and expand Medicare to all. Now let's expand our knowledge and snuggle up with a book on Black history in America. Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of Negro History Week, the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history. See s Candy Certificates Make Great Gifts! Easter is Sunday, April 16. Your order must be received by Monday, April 3 for guaranteed Easter delivery. Certificates are $16 each. RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY

10 NEWS FROM THE IRS IRS Newswire December 13, Standard Mileage Rates for Business, Medical and Moving Announced WASHINGTON The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2017 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2017, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from 54 cents for cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 19 cents for cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations The business mileage rate decreased half a cent per mile and the medical and moving expense rates each dropped 2 cents per mile from The charitable rate is set by statute and remains unchanged. The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs. Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates. A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for more than four vehicles used simultaneously. These and other requirements are described in Rev. Proc Notice , posted today on IRS.gov, contains the standard mileage rates, the amount a taxpayer must use in calculating reductions to basis for depreciation taken under the business standard mileage rate, and the maximum standard automobile cost that a taxpayer may use in computing the allowance under a fixed and variable rate plan. 10 RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

11 Joint Meeting of the Membership & Member Services Committees The RPEA Membership and Member Services Committees held a joint meeting at the Headquarters Office on Friday, January 13. Ryan Motola, Vice President of Direct Benefits for our benefit plan provider, AMBIA, attended. Membership Committee Members Bill Houk & Bill Wallace; Chair Rosemary Knox, Al Darby, Committee Member, Kathy Miller; Ryan Motola Kathy Miller and Ryan Motola RPEA February Board of Directors Meeting Monday, February 27, 3:00-5:00 PM Tuesday, February 28, 8:00 AM - CONCLUSION Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5321 Date Ave., Sacramento, CA RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY

12 CAPPO Conference and Annual Peralta College Events fforts to recruit new members for RPEA E continue on many levels. AMBIA continues to be our primary source of new members, but recruiting campaigns continue on many other fronts as well. Hopefully, all chapters are conducting recruiting drives in one fashion or another. In January, Vice President, Al Darby, and Nancy Santos, President of Chapter 066 MOUNT DIABLO, attended a California Associate of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. (CAPPO) conference. This conference is an assembly of statewide public agency purchasing managers in Napa. RPEA was there to introduce them to our Association prior to their retirement. These people were also asked to take our recruiting material to distribute to others in their agencies who may be retiring soon. On February 1 Vice President Darby spoke at the annual Peralta College (Oakland) retirement gathering and gave these people our recruitment information as well. There were many active staff members of the college who attended and took our information regarding affiliate members. This provided an opportunity for Vice President Darby to express the many ways in which RPEA works to protect our By Al Darby, Vice President In both of these meetings, there was concern about the future of pension security due to alarming media articles (supreme court cases and lagging investment returns) and other statements about the solvency of CalPERS and CalSTRS. pension systems through our advocacy efforts at CalPERS, the state legislature and through Californians for Retirement Security (CRS). There are many challenges that face our pension systems right now, particularly poor returns on investments. The boards of both systems are taking steps to correct poor investment performance of the past two fiscal years. Additionally, with the recent reduction in the discount rate (rate of expected investment returns), contract agencies and new employees will be paying more in monthly contributions to the funds. This year is looking better due to investment gains that have the stock market higher, along with other investment categories that are showing stronger growth. Employment numbers are still strong, and the Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady for this quarter. With middle-class income starting to increase again, we should see continued economic growth. All of this should propel a new surge in value of all asset classes. That portends a good result for CalPERS. 12 RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

13 Holiday Happenings Chapter 075 TRI VALLEY Chapter 040 ORANGE COUNTY Dona Allen conducts the holiday gift drawing 075 Chapter Board: Muriel Springer (Telephone Tree); Val Olson (Secretary); Bob VanEtten (Area III Director); Billie Ann Madison (Sunshine), Phillip Madison (Vice President/Asst. Area Director III); Jan Winegarner (Treasurer),Dona Allen (075 President), Glenn Hage (Legislation), GeneGordillo, Jr. (Membership) Bea North, 50/50 drawing board member Chapter member & former Director of Health Benefits, Joanne Hollender Evelyn Hicks, Inspirational and Sunshine board member. The chapter membership agrees that Evelyn is the best inspirational board officer Chapter 040 has ever had. Area Director III, Bob Van Etten Bob VanEtten, Joanne Hollender, Audrie& Glenn Hage, Dona Allen, Julie VanEtten,Gene Gordillo, Jr., Jan Winegarner, Muriel Springer, Val Olson,Anna Lim, Janie Morgan, Ken Kirkman, Bob Lim, Maja Jorgenson& Husband, LeoraFrise, Gary Olson, Barbara Hempil. Two tall gentlemen in back are Phillip Madison and Ray Winegarner Chapter member & RPEA Past President, Jerry O Keefe Chapter members and guests enjoying lunch at annual Christmas holiday celebration at Poppy Ridge Golf Club in Livermore RPEA Director of Legislation, Jim Anderson RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY

14 New Year, New Adventure! RPEA fights to safeguard and promote the earned benefits of all dedicated California public employee retirees. Join the more than 24,000 current RPEA members. JOIN NOW! (800) RPEA NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

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16 Retired Public Employees Association of California (RPEA) 300 T Street, Sacramento, CA Toll Free: (800) Phone: (916) Fax: (916) Website: Facebook NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SACRAMENTO CA PERMIT NO. 496 Marie Reed 8AM 7PM Ann McWherter ROSTER OF 2016/2018 VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS NAME TITLE HOME ADDRESS PHONE FAX ADDRESS George Linn 53 Aquavista Way gmlinn@aol.com President ANY TIME San Francisco, CA president@rpea.com Al Darby 8968 Panamint Court Vice President 8AM 9PM Elk Grove, CA NONE aldarby9@hotmail.com 6796 Pocket Road Secretary/Treasurer Sacramento, CA NONE marie.reed@comcast.net 8AM - 8PM Donna Snodgrass ANY TIME Rosemary Knox ANYTIME Immediate Past President 9589 Four Winds Dr., #413 Elk Grove, CA NONE annmcwherter@gmail.com Walnut Grove Court Dir. Health Benefits NONE Donnasnodgrass55@gmail.com Yucaipa, CA Ladymuir Court Dir. Membership NONE rknox@sbcglobal.net San Jose, CA C. T. Weber 10AM 9PM Dir. Public Relations 1403 Las Padres Way Sacramento, CA (H) (C) NONE ctwebervoters@att.net Jim Anderson ANYTIME 578 Via Paloma Dir. Legislation (C) waynesix@aol.com Riverside, CA Paul Tamboury 8AM 9PM George Otterbeck 8AM 5PM Bob Van Etten ANY TIME Bill Houk ANY TIME Ellen Knapp ANYTIME Wes Stonebreaker ANY TIME Area Director I Area Director II Area Director III Area Director IV Area Director V Area Director VI 465 Stony Point Road, #130 Santa Rosa, CA pault@rpea32.org 4180 Meander Dr. Redding, CA (H) (C) NONE origsnoopy1@gmail.com 4401 Clovewood Lane Pleasanton, CA NONE bobvanetten@comcast.net PO BOX 1530 Oakdale, CA Cuervo Dr. Valencia, CA (C) NONE sixteenthb@aol.com NONE eknapp@roadrunner.com 1060 Country Club Dr. Riverside, CA lindaandwes@aol.com Dennis Cassella 8AM -- 5PM Kathleen Collins ANY TIME Larry Sullivan ANYTIME Tanya Rakestraw Radtana Lee Corey Saeteurn Teena Stone Area Director VII (Interim) Area Director IX 205 Cypress Hill Dr. Grass Valley, CA Susan Avenue Downey, CA Sunset Gardens Rd. Albuquerque, NM HEADQUARTERS OFFICE STAFF SAME (CALL FIRST) ncdennisc@aol.com Area Director VIII NONE kcespresso@hotmail.com Office Manager Accts. Payable Clerk IT Technician Mem. Svcs. Secretary 300 T Street Sacramento, CA :00AM 4:00PM SAME houseofspirit@earthlink.net (CALL FIRST) tanya@rpea.com radtana@rpea.com corey@rpea.com teena@rpea.com Rev. 02/14/17